Although the movie is based on Belfort’s outrageous true story, some scenes were exaggerated for the screen — while other moments in the film are actually much tamer than what really happened. In fact, after DiCaprio read Belfort’s book while preparing for the film, he said he “couldn’t believe that this man led this lifestyle and still survived.” The real Jordan Belfort was just as addicted to drugs and partying as his on-screen counterpart — and he actually did once pilot a helicopter while under the influence of Quaaludes.
Meanwhile, Jonah Hill plays Donnie Azoff, Belfort’s right-hand man at Stratton Oakmont. Azoff is actually based on several friends of Belfort, including his business partner Danny Porush. Porush has denied that he did some of the things Azoff did in the film, such as bringing roller-skating chimpanzees into the office or organizing a “dwarf-tossing” contest. However, he does admit that he married his first cousin and swallowed an employee’s goldfish. And Stratton Oakmont actually did pay an employee $10,000 to shave her head, just as depicted in the movie.

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